Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-29

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The charts below show the proportions of British students at one university in England who were able to speak other languages in addition to English, in 2000 and 2010

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The pie charts gives percentages of British students who can speak more than one language which is English at an university in England, in 2000 and 2010.

Overall, the two charts show that it have different patterns in 2000 and 2010. German only records the same proportions in the two periods.

Firstly in 2000, no other languages contributes the largest number of students at 30%. Then there the second biggest proportion which is Spanish only at 20%. French only and another languages constitute the same number at 15%. The smallest ones are German only and two other languages which also provide similar percentages at 10%.

Secondly in 2010, once again no other languages records the largest proportion at 35%. The next one is another languages, whereas represents 5% more at 20%. Two other languages contributes more than in 2010 at 15%. French only, Spanish only and German only are the smallest ones, they share same numbers at only 10%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall pattern that “No other languages” was the largest category in both years, and you accurately report several key figures, including 30% and 35% for this group and the unchanged 10% for German. However, the overview is vague: saying the charts have “different patterns” does not clearly summarise the main changes. The comparison that Spanish fell from 20% to 10%, while “Another language” and “Two other languages” rose, is not brought together as a clear overview. Some details are also unclear or inaccurate: “Two other languages contributes more than in 2010” should refer to an increase from 10% to 15%. A sharper overview and precise comparisons would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for 2000 and 2010. This makes the information generally easy to follow, and sequencing phrases such as “Firstly” and “Secondly” help distinguish the years. However, progression is somewhat mechanical, and several links between ideas are awkward or unclear. For example, “Then there the second biggest proportion” does not clearly connect the figures, while “The next one is another languages, whereas represents 5% more” interrupts the comparison. Grouping categories by increases, decreases and unchanged values would create a more purposeful comparison across the two charts. Clearer linking and reference would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “proportions,” “largest,” “constitute,” and “records,” and the reader can generally understand the categories and figures. However, the range is limited and some word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which makes parts of the report sound unnatural. Examples include “the largest number of students” where the chart shows a proportion, “another languages,” and “provide similar percentages.” The phrase “more than in 2010” also fails to express the intended comparison with 2000. Aim for precise reporting language such as “accounted for,” “rose to,” and “fell to,” and check whether category labels are singular or plural. This would make the descriptions clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple statements and longer structures, and most of the figures remain understandable. However, errors in agreement, sentence construction and articles occur often enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “The pie charts gives” has subject–verb disagreement, and “it have different patterns” also has an incorrect verb form. In “Then there the second biggest proportion,” the sentence structure is incomplete; “whereas represents 5% more” is also missing a clear subject. There are further agreement problems in “Two other languages contributes.” Practise forming complete comparison sentences and checking subject–verb agreement, articles and plural forms. More accurate control of these basic patterns would make your meaning easier to follow.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.